Shocking X-rays: Troubled teens' embedded objects

Adolescence can be a difficult time, especially for teens beset by severe depression and other psychological demons. Some resort to "self-embedding behavior" with the goal of using physical pain to blunt emotional pain. So says Dr. William E. Shiels, of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

This X-ray shows a shard of glass embedded in the neck of a 17-year-old. Keep clicking to see more shocking images...

Credit: Pediatrics (Volume 127, Number 6, June 2011)

This X-ray shows the wrist of a teen-aged girl who embedded three staples.

Credit: Nationwide Children's Hospital

Here's a frontal X-ray showing the neck of a 17-year-old girl who had stuck a bobby pin fragment deep into the left side of her neck.

Credit: Nationwide Children's Hospital

Some teens embed pencil lead (graphite). This sonogram was taken during surgery to remove graphite from the arm of a 15-year-old girl.

Credit: Pediatrics (Volume 127, Number 6, June 2011)

This X-ray revealed staples, unfolded paperclips, and graphite pencil fragments embedded under the skin and in the muscle of a teenage girl.

Credit: Nationwide Children's Hospital

This X-ray shows the wrist of a 17-year-old girl who had embedded six staples into her arm.

Credit: Pediatrics (Volume 127, Number 6, June 2011)

X-ray of metal pieces embedded in the wrist of a teenage girl.

Credit: Radiological Society of North America

Here's the arm of a 17-year-old with nine embedded objects, including a paperclip, graphite fragments, and staples.

Credit: Pediatrics (Volume 127, Number 6, June 2011)

All these items - paperclips, staples, and fragments of graphite and plastic were removed from the same patient.

Credit: Nationwide Children's Hospital

These forceps allow doctors to remove embedded objects without big incisions. The incisions required to insert these tools is generally about one-quarter of an inch.